Director - Culinary Innovation, Sonic

Sonic; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SONIC is seeking a senior culinary innovator to lead strategic menu development and a robust pipeline of new products and platforms. You will partner across departments to translate insights into winning menu solutions and drive commercialization from concept to launch.

You will manage a high-performing culinary team, develop capabilities, and steer projects with a relentless focus on quality, growth, and brand distinction.

Qualifications

• 4 Year Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science or related degree is required.
• 10+ Years experience in a culinary or product development role.
• Experience in QSR culinary development highly preferred.
• True Passion for food & beverage - a Food Storyteller.
• Leader and team player with strong collaboration.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) for diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage 50-75+ projects at various stages.
• Able to multi-task with speed and accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic menu development and product innovation initiatives.
• Partner with senior leadership to execute the innovation agenda and brand culinary identity.
• Own development from concept through commercialization and launch.
• Lead culinary ideation sessions, tastings, and workshops with internal and external partners.
• Balance innovation with operational feasibility, quality, and financial goals.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Culinary Innovation

Product Development

Cross-Functional Leadership

Team Development

Project Management

Communication

Public Speaking

Problem Solving

Adaptability

Education

4 Year Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science or related degree

Tools

Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Lead SONIC's culinary innovation efforts to drive traffic, revenue, and guest satisfaction through differentiated menu solutions. This role serves as a key partner to the VP, Product Category Management & Culinary, helping bring the brand's culinary vision and menu strategy to life through consumer-relevant innovation, product development excellence, and strong cross-functional leadership.Responsible for leading product development initiatives from concept through commercialization, partnering across Category Management, Consumer Insights, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercialization, and Quality Assurance to deliver products that strengthen SONIC's competitive position and support business growth.Lead and develop the culinary team, establish priorities, build capabilities and strengthen processes to accelerate innovation, optimize the core menu and deliver a robust pipeline products and platforms.Duties and Responsibilities:Strategic Menu Development & Product InnovationPartner with the VP to execute SONIC's innovation agenda and support the evolution of the brand's culinary identityLead development of a consumer-relevant innovation pipeline across core menu, platforms, beverages, LTOs, and ingredientsCollaborate with Category Management and Insights to translate consumer, market, and business insights into winning menu solutionsOwn product development from concept through commercialization and launchLead culinary ideation sessions, product tastings, and innovation workshops with internal and external partnersManage development priorities, resources, and timelines to ensure successful delivery of innovation initiativesCross Functional Leadership & Commercialization / CollaborationPartner with Operations, Training, Supply Chain, Commercialization, QA, Equipment, and Marketing teams to deliver successful product launchesBalance culinary innovation with operational feasibility, quality standards, and financial objectivesLead culinary workstreams during testing, validation, commercialization and launch readinnessOwn product specifications, recipes and product development documentationSupport development of training materials, procedures, and operational solutions that enable consistent restaurant executionTeam Leadership & Talent DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop a high-performing culinary team while fostering a culture of accountability, creativity and continuous improvementBuild the capabilities, process, and talent needed to establish SONIC as a destination for best-in-class QSR culinary talentStrengthening culinary ways of working and development capabilities across the organizationManage departmental budgets and external vendor relationshipsRequirements:4 Year Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science or related degree is required for this position10+ Years experience in a culinary or product development role required. Experience in QSR culinary development highly preferredTrue Passion for food & beverage - a Food StorytellerLeader and team playerHighly creative with an ability to be flexible & open to new ideasIncorporate a ‘best first’ mentality and mindset that continues to accelerate innovation processExcellent communication skills (oral and written) in multiple mediums to multiple audiences including public speaking & written (including electronic communications)Ability to set goals, determine priorities, plan, organize & follow through on assigned responsibilitiesAbility to work effectively in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment managing 50-75+ projects at various stages of completion.Ability to make recommendations & decisions in a timely mannerAccuracy & attention to detail an absolute mustProven ability to multi-task with little direct supervision, effective time & project management skillsStrong Problem Solving / Troubleshooting skillsStrong interpersonal skills & an understanding of the importance of embracing & fitting into company culture to achieve success with the ability to earn the trust of people devoted to the SONIC way of doing things; empowering people to accept intelligent change as a subtle but effective agent of changeFunctional Technical Skills may include specific industry/category knowledge (i.e. logistics, commodities, ingredients, purchasing, distribution, forecasting, relationship management, etc.); knowledge of ingredients and product development processes including basic specification and recipe writing for new productsFlexibility to work within an open concept office environmentAbility to build effective relationshipsProficient in using Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel & other relevant software programs.May be up to 50% travel based on taste testing and vendor workThis position oversees the culinary teamInspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,300 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide. We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.